In a bid to promote the spread of the zero-emission vehicles Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Fuji Heavy Industries and the Tokyo Electric Power Company have formally established CHAdeMO Association to standardize fast-charge stations for electric cars.

Last August, Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors, Fuji Heavy Industries, and TEPCO started a preparatory committee. Then, TOYOTA joined the committee and the Association has been established with the five companies as its executive members.

As of today, 158 business entities and government bodies including 20 foreign companies are expected to join the Association, such as automakers, electric utilities, charger manufacturers, charging service providers, and other supporting groups.

The companies aim to make the technology the de facto global standard by promoting its use in markets in which they plan to roll out electric cars.

Electric cars are seen as one solution to meeting stricter environmental regulations because they have no tailpipe emissions. But they face hurdles such as costly batteries and a limited driving distance compared with conventional cars, as well as the lack of infrastructure to recharge when away from home.

CHAdeMO is going to promote the electric cars through the efforts of technical improvements of quick chargers, standardization activities of charging methods, and international extension of our knowledge related to quick-charger installations.